neilfergylee Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 The release of Airfix's excellent early Hunter allowed me to create a model of a Hunter F.1, something I have wanted to do for some time. The only kit-bashing I did was to model the aircraft without the 'Sabrinas' and create my own decals for the 43 Squadron markings. To model a version without the 'Sabrina' link collectors, it is necessary to modify where the link and cartridge ejector ports were because they are quite different to the locations in the standard model as this illustrates: This led me to undertake a mild amount of modification to the model's underside. Regarding decals, Fantasy Print Shop do create suitable set but with them locked-down because of the epidemic, I resorted to printing my own. Fortunately, the presence of plain A4 sheet, combined with a laser printer and something no more sophisticated than PowerPoint allowed me to have a good go. The aircraft squadron letter was a challenge because you can't print white but you can print the outline and then cut-out the character very carefully. I chose WH641, aircraft 'T' as cutting-out a 'G' or an 'S' was way beyond my capabilities! Here are some more shots of the finished aircraft, I hope you like them and a full set can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmMuGa7w Stay safe, Neil 45 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 What an absolute stunner. You've done a superb job capturing those beautiful, sleek lines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilfergylee Posted April 10, 2020 Author Share Posted April 10, 2020 13 minutes ago, cngaero said: What an absolute stunner. You've done a superb job capturing those beautiful, sleek lines. Thank you - you are very kind. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith in the uk Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Nice early Hunter Neil , your home made decals have worked a treat . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Great job on one of the first operational Hunters in RAF service. Duncan B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Beautiful, simply beautiful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris148 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Very nicely done,decals look spot on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Fox Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Fabulous work, I've just finished an F4 and was wondering about what it would take to do an F1, you beat me too it so thank you for blazing the trail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I’m in the same position as Silver Fox with a pre-Sabrina Hunter (or two) planned so thank you for the details of the mods I’ll need to do too. Also thanks for that lovely underside shot of WN950b, there aren’t that many that I’ve seen of Sapphire-engined Hunters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtkrl92 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Lovely model of a lovely aircraft. They do not build aircraft like these anymore 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Very very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanm Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 (edited) Lovely build of an excellent kit. Love your markings! Edited April 11, 2020 by bryanm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Hi Neil, a very nice Hunter. I like the clean lines of the initial variant, before the "lumps and bumps" were added (this is true for most aircraft types in my opinion) Cheers Markus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilfergylee Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share Posted April 11, 2020 @cngaero, @keith in the uk, @Duncan B, @Alpha Delta 210, @chris148, @Silver Fox, @stever219, @mtkrl92, @SAT69, @bryanm and @Shorty84, thank you all very much indeed for your kind words and encouragement. It is a huge boost to one's morale to receive such praise as this and it is most sincerely appreciated. Now for an Airfix 1/48 TSR.2 and the eternal debate: prototype in white or 'What if' in camouglage! Kind regards and stay safe, Neil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 A TSR.2 in camouflage would be an interesting project. Perhaps the grey used on late RAF Tornadoes. Or an overall gunship grey? Sand camouflage from Desert Storm? There are multiple great possibilities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 2 hours ago, SAT69 said: A TSR.2 in camouflage would be an interesting project. Perhaps the grey used on late RAF Tornadoes. Or an overall gunship grey? Sand camouflage from Desert Storm? There are multiple great possibilities! How about one in the colours of one of the French Mirage IV units? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Coombs Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 2 hours ago, SAT69 said: A TSR.2 in camouflage would be an interesting project. Perhaps the grey used on late RAF Tornadoes. Or an overall gunship grey? Sand camouflage from Desert Storm? There are multiple great possibilities! Xtradecal X48070 is still available, if anyone's looking for some ready inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Beautiful build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 I'm not a what-if guy so for me, it's got to be white!😉 6 hours ago, neilfergylee said: @cngaero, @keith in the uk, @Duncan B, @Alpha Delta 210, @chris148, @Silver Fox, @stever219, @mtkrl92, @SAT69, @bryanm and @Shorty84, thank you all very much indeed for your kind words and encouragement. It is a huge boost to one's morale to receive such praise as this and it is most sincerely appreciated. Now for an Airfix 1/48 TSR.2 and the eternal debate: prototype in white or 'What if' in camouglage! Kind regards and stay safe, Neil 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilfergylee Posted April 14, 2020 Author Share Posted April 14, 2020 @SAT69, @stever219, @Steve Coombs, @Alpha Delta 210 Oh crikey, what have I done?! I must confess that if I was going to do a what-if, it would be pretty modest, simply a dark green, dark sea grey, light aircraft grey version from the late 1960s. It seems that the first two Xtradecal sheets are nearly unobtainable but the third is readily available although definitely 'out there' in terms of possibilities. Just for the time being I shall continue to build the model without forcing myself down one particular path until I get to the airframe. I shall keep you posted though: it's great to have such a wealth of knowledge and options to fall-back upon! Cheers, Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 What a beautiful result, great work to produce a rarely seen variant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B (Sc) Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Truly superb work Neil, and something to encourage me to continue my stalled build of almost the same - in my case a 1/32nd Hunter F1 also to be in 43 Sqn markings - I have an Echelon vacform about half done. Thanks for the comments on the ejector link ports position - must check the Echelon drawings (which are excellent) I think the only thing I'd ask a small question about is the rear of your canopy - this is something which has long puzzled me. Is there actually a metal fairing around the rear which can be painted or was there simply a flexible seal around the inside? I seem to recall it looking like it was just a plain perspex edge, but (a) that seems unlikely for a pressure cabin and (b) it's a heck of a long time since I was last up close to a single seat Hunter. John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Pearcy Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Brilliant build of a beautiful plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 This is rather nice!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 Nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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